Hypotheses Regarding Ayahuasca’s Potential Mechanisms of Action in the Treatment of Addiction

Prickett, James I.; Liester, Mitchell B.

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-40426-9_7

Cited by 15 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Prickett and Liester [65] propose a variety of biochemical and physiological mechanisms by which ayahuasca might effectively treat addictions. Because of the inclusion of two plant species, the range of potential therapeutic mechanisms of ayahuasca is greater, providing a variety of complementary mechanisms to exert both direct and indirect actions on both dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.…”

Section: Biochemical and Physiological Mechanisms As A Basis For Ayahmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The biochemistry of addiction indicates that effective treatment requires two effects: first an increase in the overall levels of serotonin, which would increase dopamine levels sufficiently to attenuate withdrawal symptoms; and secondly a normalization of dopamine levels which can be achieved via serotonin's inhibitory effects on the release of dopamine in the mesolimbic dopamine pathways [65]. Ayahuasca can achieve these dual effects through multiple mechanisms that provide opposing mechanisms that both raise and lower dopamine in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway (MDP) [65]. Prickett and Liester [65] refer to this as a neurochemical normalization therapy, providing a treatment for addiction by releasing sufficient dopamine to normalize the levels, but not producing an abrupt spiking that provides reinforcement and susceptibility to addiction.…”

Section: Biochemical and Physiological Mechanisms As A Basis For Ayahmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca

Winkelman

2015

CDAR

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Substances known as psychedelics, hallucinogens and entheogens have been employed in ethnomedical traditions for thousands of years, but after promising uses in the 1950's and 1960's they were largely prohibited in medical treatment and human research starting in the 1970's as part of the fallout from the war on drugs. Nonetheless, there are a number of studies which suggest that these substances have potential applications in the treatment of addictions. While these substances are generally classified as Schedule I, alleging no established medical uses and a high drug abuse potential, there is nonetheless evidence indicating they might be safe and effective tools for short term interventions in addictions treatment. Evidence suggests that the psychedelics have a much greater safety profile than the major addictive drugs, having extremely low levels of mortality, and producing little if any physical dependence. This paper reviews studies evaluating the use of LSD, peyote, ibogaine and ayahuasca in the treatment of dependencies and the possible mechanisms underlying the indications of effectiveness. Evidence suggests that these substances help assist recovery from drug dependency through a variety of therapeutic mechanisms, including a notable "after-glow" effect that in part reflects their action on the serotonin neurotransmitter system. Serotonin has been long recognized as central to the psychedelics' well-known phenomenological, physical, emotional and cognitive dynamics. These serotonin-based dynamics are directly relevant to treatment of addiction because of depressed serotonin levels found in addict populations, as well as the role of serotonin as a neuromodulators affecting many other neurotransmitter systems.

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Section: Biochemical and Physiological Mechanisms As A Basis For Ayahmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biochemical and Physiological Mechanisms As A Basis For Ayahmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca

Winkelman

2015

CDAR

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“…Multiple rehabilitation centers structured around religious ayahuasca use for the treatment of substance abuse have opened in Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile (Mabit, 2002; 2007; Prickett & Liester, 2014). While intriguing, none of these centers have been examined by any independent researchers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review.

Garcia-Romeu

Kersgaard

Addy³

2016

Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology

157

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Hallucinogens fall into several different classes, as broadly defined by pharmacological mechanism of action, and chemical structure. These include psychedelics, entactogens, dissociatives, and other atypical hallucinogens. Although these classes do not share a common primary mechanism of action, they do exhibit important similarities in their ability to occasion temporary but profound alterations of consciousness, involving acute changes in somatic, perceptual, cognitive, and affective processes. Such effects likely contribute to their recreational use. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that these drugs may have therapeutic applications beyond their potential for abuse. This review will present data on several classes of hallucinogens with a particular focus on psychedelics, entactogens, and dissociatives, for which clinical utility has been most extensively documented. Information on each class is presented in turn, tracing relevant historical insights, highlighting similarities and differences between the classes from the molecular to the behavioral level, and presenting the most up-to-date information on clinically oriented research with these substances, with important ramifications for their potential therapeutic value.

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“…Some evidence is emerging that using the shamanic brew ayahuasca, which is typically administered in a ceremonial group context, may be an effective treatment for substance use disorders (for review, see Prickett & Liester, ). Ayahuasca contains DMT, which is normally deactivated in the stomach and throughout the body by monoamine oxidase enzymes.…”

Section: Psychedelics Prohibition and Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By combining plants containing DMT with plants containing reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase‐A, South American shamans have used ayahuasca for spiritual and healing purposes for hundreds, and possibly thousands, of years. In the past decade, there has been an exponential increase in the number of studies published internationally, examining ayahuasca from a range of perspectives (for review, see dos Santos, Balthazar, Bouso, & Hallak, ), with observational studies finding ayahuasca might assist people experiencing substance use disorders (for review, see Prickett & Liester, ).…”

Section: Psychedelics Prohibition and Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Should Australian Psychology Consider Enhancing Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Psychedelic Drugs? A Call for Research

Bright

Williams

2018

Australian Psychologist

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International research is increasingly demonstrating that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can enhance psychotherapeutic outcomes and be effective for some treatment-refractory mental illnesses; however, there is an absence of any such research in Australia. A review of psychedelic science has been conducted with a focus on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to highlight the degree to which such research is occurring overseas. While some studies are in their early stages and the methods are undergoing continuous refinement, other areas are more advanced, including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy which is commencing Phase III clinical trials. In all cases, evidence is mounting that psychedelics hold promise in enhancing psychotherapy and furthering current understandings of the brain. Given that there is no psychedelic science program in Australia, we propose that Australian psychologists join the global biomedical community and engage in formal psychedelic research.

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Hypotheses Regarding Ayahuasca’s Potential Mechanisms of Action in the Treatment of Addiction

Cited by 15 publications

References 75 publications

Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca

Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca

Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review.

Should Australian Psychology Consider Enhancing Psychotherapeutic Interventions with Psychedelic Drugs? A Call for Research

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